What do the rules say about a putter’s maximum lie angle?
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The Rules of Golf Are Complicated! Thankfully, we have the teacher. our Rules Guy knows the book inside out. Have a question? He has all the answers.
Is the shooter allowed to have an angle of alignment greater than 80 degrees? Bryson DeChambeau’s shot appears to be closer to 90 degrees. — Jim Morrissey, South Bend, Ind.
Please rest assured, Jim, that our reigning national champion does things by the book – especially the cult classic, golf cart, by Homer Kelley. BDC is an innovator, but not a fraud; there is no doubt that his equipment is up to the relevant standards.
For your edification, the relevant section of the Equipment Rules, Part 2, 1d, states: “(i) the projection of the straight part of the shaft in the vertical plane through the toe and heel must deviate from the vertical by at least 10 degrees…. If the overall design of the club is such that the player can effectively use the club in a vertical or near-vertical position, the shaft may be required to deviate from vertical in this plane by up to 25 degrees.”
Rules Guy: I made my putting glove USGA compliant. Can I use it in the contest?
For more guidance from our tutor on insert suitability, read on…
I have an old TaylorMade Spider cheater but I didn’t like the white line on the black head so I taped a piece of white tape to the head and drew a red line with a Sharpie. Is this legal? —Vince Zachetti, via email
A confession, Vince: Over the past half-century, Rules Guy’s father, Tinker Guy, has butchered countless tools in his basement workshop known as “The Lair,” including sawing off one Scotty Cameron’s finger. Blowers in the hosel, Wite-Out soaked in the topline, slide saddles stuck in the sole, ball bearings shoved under the handle and into the shaft: We’ve seen flat clubs suffer all kinds of questionable plastic surgery over the years. .
Never once did Tinker Guy ask him if he was breaking the Rules, and out of respect for the sons, nor was this information forced upon him. Now it can be said: The tape attached to the gauge is a non-conforming external attachment and makes the club non-conforming. Under Rule 4.1a, once you make a stroke with the club in question, you are disqualified.
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Have a question about the Rules? Ask Guy Rules! Send your questions, confusion and comments to rulesguy@golf.com. We promise you won’t throw the book at you.
